Way-too-early SEC football power rankings for 2026 season

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Way-too-early SEC football power rankings for 2026 season

The 2025 college football season has officially come to an end, meaning the focus across the sport now fully shifts to 2026.

In recent weeks, the 2026 season has already begun to take shape as well, as almost every team across the country has been impacted by the NCAA transfer portal in some way, as well as NFL draft decisions, a group which includes the SEC.

As a result, many SEC rosters already look significantly different than they did only a few months ago, with some of those changes evident even at the top of the program with new head coaches. Factoring in each SEC team's roster at the moment also, which teams are currently expected to be among the conference's best in 2026?

Following is a look at the way-too-early SEC football power rankings for the 2026 season.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

Dec 4, 2025; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Ryan Silverfield during his introductory press conference and vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek pose with a jersey with the number 35 signifying the 35th Arkansas head coach at Frank Broyles Center. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Arkansas is the first of multiple SEC teams set to begin a new era in 2026, as head coach Ryan Silverfield takes over the Razorbacks program. The Razorbacks, who finished last year at 2-10 overall (0-8 SEC), have a large transfer portal class coming in next season, headlined by names such as former Louisiana offensive tackle Bryant Williams.

15. Kentucky Wildcats

Dec 3, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head football coach Will Stein speaks during his introductory press conference at Nutter Field House. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

The Wildcats are set to begin a new era in 2026, as Will Stein takes over as Kentucky head coach for the departed Mark Stoops. Stein will inherit a Kentucky team which finished last season at 5-7 overall (2-6 SEC), and has since landed impact transfers such as former Tennessee offensive lineman Lance Heard, as well as former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey.

14. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Nov 28, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) warms up before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Mississippi State is coming off a 5-8 overall (1-7 SEC) season under head coach Jeff Lebby, a step ahead from their 2024 campaign. The Bulldogs have brought in many impact players in the transfer portal this offseason to combine with a roster that will return quarterback Kamario Taylor.

13. Auburn Tigers

Auburn football head coach Alex Golesh and Auburn athletic director John Cohen pose for photos during his introductory press conference at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

The Auburn Tigers begin a new era in 2026, as Alex Golesh takes over in place of former head coach Hugh Freeze. Auburn finished last season at 5-7 overall (1-7 SEC), and will have a different looking roster next year, one that is headlined by USF transfer quarterback Byrum Brown.

12. Florida Gators

Dec 1, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin and Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall poses with a Florida Gators jersey during the press conference at the Heavener Football Training Center at the University of Florida. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida begins a new era in 2026, as Jon Sumrall takes over in Gainesville for departed head coach Billy Napier. The Gators have seen a significant amount of roster turnover from a team which finished 4-8 overall (2-6 SEC) a year ago, headlined by now former starting quarterback DJ Lagway transferring.

11. Vanderbilt Commodores

Nov 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea paces the sideline against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt and head coach Clark Lea are coming off one of the best seasons in program history that included a 10-3 overall record (6-2 SEC), just missing the CFP. The Commodores however have lost many prominent names off that team such as Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers, clearing the way for a new era in Nashville that could be led by incoming true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

One of the more intriguing SEC teams heading into 2026 will be the South Carolina Gamecocks, as Shane Beamer and Co. are set to return multiple prominent faces off a group that went 4-8 overall (1-7 SEC) a year ago. Among those names will be quarterback LaNorris Sellers, wide receiver Nyck Harbor, and edge rusher Dylan Stewart, each of which could be among the SEC's top players at their respective positions.

9. Missouri Tigers

Nov 15, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz reacts to play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Missouri is coming off a bit of a down 2025 campaign, one which included an 8-5 overall record (4-4 SEC) in year six of the Eli Drinkwitz era. The Tigers have seen a significant amount of roster turnover in recent weeks, headlined by a likely new starting quarterback in Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons.

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Nov 29, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Tennessee took a small step back in 2025 after a CFP appearance the year prior, finishing with an 8-5 overall record (4-4 SEC). The Volunteers and head coach Josh Heupel have since seen a notable amount of roster turnover, which has included landing former Penn State edge rusher Chaz Coleman.

7. Oklahoma Sooners

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to make a pass in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma Sooners reached the CFP last season at 10-3 overall (6-2 SEC), falling in the first round at home. In 2026, the Sooners and head coach Brent Venables will certainly contend for a CFP spot once again, headlined by one of the SEC's top quarterbacks in returning starter John Mateer.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks on during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas A&M and head coach Mike Elko had a memorable 2025 campaign, one that included an 11-2 overall (7-1 SEC) record, as well as a CFP first round appearance. The Aggies will be one of the SEC's top teams next season as well, headlined by returning starting quarterback Marcel Reed.

5. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding talks with players during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.

The Ole Miss Rebels were the SEC's final team standing during the 2025 season, reaching the CFP semifinals at 13-2 overall (7-1 SEC) under new head coach Pete Golding, who took over for the departed Lane Kiffin. Golding's first full season in Oxford will now feature one of the SEC's top teams, regardless of whether or not starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returns to Ole Miss next fall.

4. LSU Tigers

Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

One of the SEC's most intriguing programs entering the offseason is LSU, a team which finished last season at 7-6 overall (3-5 SEC), and has seen former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin take over for the departed Brian Kelly. With the arrival of Kiffin, the Tigers have a significantly different looking roster that is headlined by a large transfer portal class, one that features former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) carries the ball after a reception against the Louisiana State Tigers during the fourth quarter of the game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Alabama reached the CFP quarterfinals during the 2025 season at 11-4 overall (7-1 SEC), which was their first trip to the 12-team playoff under head coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide have lost a lot entering 2026, but are still set to be among the SEC's best, headlined by returning wide receiver Ryan Williams, as well as one of the conference's top secondaries.

2. Texas Longhorns

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks on during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

A team you could certainly make a case for to be ranked even higher, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns went 10-3 overall (6-2 SEC) a year ago, missing the CFP entirely. Texas will undoubtedly be among college football's top teams going into next season led by returning starting quarterback Arch Manning, as well as numerous top transfers headlined by former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball against the Mississippi Rebels in the second quarter during the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

The 2025 SEC champions made another deep run this past season, as Georgia reached the CFP quarterfinals at 12-2 overall (7-1 SEC). Kirby Smart and Georgia are set to return a number of prominent players as well, headlined by starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, and similar to some of the previous teams, should be a preseason contender for the SEC and national title.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Georgia, Texas headline early 2026 SEC football power rankings

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